Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido (Tuscany)

When Sassicaia was born, the history

Sassicaia is a wine with a rich history and tradition dating back to the  Tuscany of 1940s. It is named after the "Sassicaia" (that can be translated as "full of stones", or "where the stones are") estate, located in the Tuscan region of Italy in the Bolgheri area. The wine was first produced by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, who was inspired by the great Bordeaux wines of France and wanted to create a similar wine in Italy. He planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes on his estate and began experimenting with different winemaking techniques. The first vintage of Sassicaia was produced in 1968 by Tenuta San Guido and was met with great acclaim from wine critics and enthusiasts. Since then, Sassicaia has become one of the most sought-after and highly regarded wines in the world, known for its complex and distinctive flavor profile and long, elegant finish. It is a wine that represents the pinnacle of Italian winemaking and is an essential part of the country's wine heritage. Sassicaia, a prestigious Italian wine, has garnered international acclaim for its exceptional flavor profile and impeccable quality. Originating from the Bolgheri region in Tuscany, Sassicaia is a highly sought-after wine that has become synonymous with luxury and elegance. This article delves into the enchanting flavors of Sassicaia, exploring its unique characteristics that have earned it a well-deserved place among the world's finest wines.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from Bolgheri

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are two grape varieties that are grown in the Tuscan region of Italy, in the Bolgheri area specifically, to produce Sassicaia wine. Cabernet Sauvignon is a red grape variety that is widely grown throughout the world and is known for producing full-bodied wines with high tannin levels and a strong flavor profile. It is often blended with other grape varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, to add complexity and depth to the wine.

Cabernet franc is a red grape variety that is also widely grown throughout the world. It is known for producing wines with a lighter body and lower tannin levels compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. It is often used as a blending grape to add aromatics and structure to the wine. In the Bolgheri area of Tuscany, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc grapes are grown on the Sassicaia estate and are carefully nurtured to produce the highest quality fruit for the wine. The grapes are hand-picked and carefully selected to ensure that only the best fruit is used in the production of Sassicaia. The combination of these two grape varieties, grown in the unique terroir of the Bolgheri area, results in a wine that is complex, distinctive, and highly sought-after.

Sassicaia flavours

One of the key characteristics of Sassicaia is its flavor profile, which features a range of flavors and aromas that are characteristic of the wine. These include black fruit flavors, such as blackberry and blackcurrant, as well as tobacco and cedar notes. The wine also has a long and elegant finish, which is a result of the extended aging process in oak barrels. The wine is aged for a minimum of two years in oak barrels, which helps to add depth and complexity to the flavor, as well as contributing to the wine's signature long finish. In addition to its complex flavor profile, Sassicaia is also known for its distinct style and character. It is a wine that represents the pinnacle of Italian winemaking and is an essential part of the country's wine heritage. It is highly sought-after by wine collectors and connoisseurs and has received numerous accolades and awards, including numerous perfect scores from wine critics and a prestigious 100-point rating from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate in particolare the 2015 and 2016 vintages, known as the best of the last years.

The favours and characteristics are:

  1. Fruit Characteristics: At its core, Sassicaia showcases a generous array of dark fruit flavors, including blackcurrant, blackberry, and ripe cherry. These fruity notes provide the backbone of the wine's taste and are supported by subtle hints of red fruits such as raspberry and redcurrant.

  2. Earthy and Mineral Notes: Reflecting the Bolgheri terroir, Sassicaia possesses earthy and mineral undertones that lend it a unique character. Expect hints of graphite, crushed rock, and wet earth, which add depth and complexity to the wine.

  3. Herbaceous Elements: Adding to the wine's complexity, Sassicaia features herbaceous notes, such as eucalyptus, mint, and green bell pepper. These nuances are often more pronounced in younger vintages, and they contribute to the wine's overall freshness.

  4. Oak Aging: Sassicaia is aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, which imparts flavors of sweet spices, vanilla, and toasted oak. The oak aging also serves to soften the tannins, ensuring a velvety texture and well-integrated structure.

  5. Secondary and Tertiary Notes: As Sassicaia ages, it develops secondary and tertiary flavors that include tobacco, leather, and truffle. These savory characteristics enhance the wine's complexity, making it a prime candidate for cellaring.

If you want to buy Sassicaia you can check the following offers from selected italian shops:

 

Tenuta San Guido: Sassicaia 2020
RP 98 JS 99 WS 97 tre bicchieri
Tenuta San Guido: Sassicaia 2019
RP 98 JS 99 WS 98 AG 94 tre bicchieri
Tenuta San Guido: Sassicaia 2018
RP 97 JS 97 WS 96 AG 97 LM 96 tre bicchieri

 

Sassicaia is a limited production

Sassicaia is a wine that is produced in limited quantities, making it rare and coveted by wine collectors and connoisseurs. The wine is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc grapes grown on the Sassicaia estate in the Tuscan region of Italy. These grapes are carefully nurtured to produce the highest quality fruit for the wine, which is then vinified using traditional winemaking techniques. The wine is aged for a minimum of two years in oak barrels, which helps to add depth and complexity to the flavor, as well as contributing to the wine's signature long finish.

The production of Sassicaia is limited by the size of the Sassicaia estate and the number of grapes that can be grown on the property. As a result, the wine is produced in small quantities and is highly sought-after by wine collectors and connoisseurs. Its rarity and exclusivity make it an especially desirable wine for those who are looking to add it to their collection.

In addition to its limited production, Sassicaia is also highly regarded for its quality and style. It is a wine that represents the pinnacle of Italian winemaking and is an essential part of the country's wine heritage. It has received numerous accolades and awards, including numerous perfect scores from wine critics and a prestigious 100-point rating from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. These factors, combined with its limited production, make Sassicaia a highly coveted and sought-after wine.

With its captivating blend of flavors, Sassicaia offers a truly unforgettable tasting experience. The wine's full-bodied structure and firm tannins are balanced by its bright acidity, which allows it to maintain a sense of freshness and elegance.

Sassicaia's impeccable balance, complexity, and depth make it a versatile wine that pairs well with a wide range of dishes, particularly those featuring rich flavors and bold ingredients. It is often enjoyed alongside grilled meats, game, and mature cheeses.

The Bolgheri Terroir

To understand the extraordinary taste of Sassicaia, it is essential to begin with the terroir from which it is produced. Bolgheri is a small coastal area in Tuscany, renowned for its unique microclimate and soil composition. The region's Mediterranean climate provides the perfect conditions for growing the grape varieties used in Sassicaia: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The region's soil is a mix of limestone, clay, and sand, which imbues the grapes with distinct mineral characteristics. This exceptional terroir, combined with the care and attention of the skilled winemakers at Tenuta San Guido, results in a wine that embodies the essence of its origins.